The Azores Awarded Top Honor as the World’s First Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination
Sustainability has become quite the trend these days, with more and more people—especially the younger generations—raising awareness and committing to adopting more eco-friendly practices into their daily lives. Committed to ensuring that this striving toward sustainability is not simply a passing trend—but one that only grows as we face continue to face the future days ahead—the Azores has taken the lead in developing, and implementing, proactive practices to protect the earth and its priceless resources, including those of us living in it.
It may surprise you to learn that the Azores is the first island archipelago in the entire world to achieve international certification as a sustainable destination by an official entity accredited by the Global Council for Sustainable Tourism. That’s right, as of Dec. 2019, the Azores has been officially recognized as the world's first island archipelago to be certified under the EarthCheck Sustainable Destination program, making it one of the most sustainable tourism destinations in the whole world. This tremendous honor is one currently shared by only 13 regions across the entire globe.
While this is a significant and impressive milestone for the Azores, it is just the first step on the long sustainability journey that lies ahead, and these islands are committed to becoming an even more eco-friendly destination every day. While this certification is indeed an honor, the Azores are refusing to stop and be satisfied with accolades alone. To ensure that the Portuguese archipelago is doing all it can to adopt and maintain sustainable practices in its islands, the government has recently launched an exciting eco-friendly initiative known as the Cartilha da Sustentabilidade. Loosely translated as the Sustainability Charter (of the Azores), this forward-thinking initiative is an official government endeavor that seeks to support the widespread adoption of sustainable principles of present and future development holistically and smartly, spanning nearly every sector of Azorean society.
Well-Earned Recognition: The Azores as a Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination
The Azores earned this honor due to its scoring high marks over a range of specific sustainability criteria, including but not limited to how the Portuguese island archipelago approaches—and actively aims to preserve and protect—nature and the environment, as well as takes into account socio-economic factors and identity/community. Far from being the first honor in green practices, the eco-friendly principles of the Azores have already been recognized by award-winning publications, among which are Quality Coast and National Geographic Traveller Magazine, among many others.
The Why: The Azores' Path to Becoming a Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination
So, what exactly are the Azores fighting so diligently to protect? We’re glad you asked. The Azores aims to keep low levels of development (currently only 5% of the Azores’ ground is ‘built-up’ urbanized area) in hopes of preserving its numerous natural “gems”, among which include: natural heritage sites, protected marine life and wildlife (think dolphins, sperm whales, great whales, marine turtles, birds, pelagic fish, cold water corals and more!), official UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and more specifically, 13 caldera lakes, geothermal springs and pools, mountain ranges and reefs, and that’s just to start!
Did we also mention the Azores' well-known geological sites? The amazing volcanoes, calderas, lava fields, fumaroles, hot springs, and thermal pools alone are worth every bit of diligent effort the Azores are currently committing to protect. After all, there is simply nothing like the experience of natural beauty you will see when visiting this pristine island paradise. The Azores are also taking additional proactive measures, such as utilizing renewable geothermal energy and increasing the number of regulations and protected areas on the island archipelago. And it’s only the beginning of better, greener things to come.
Are you already in love with the Azores? Take a look at our stress-free packages that allow you to book your ultimate island adventure. All our packages are carefully curated by our team of local Azorean Experts so that you don’t need to worry about any details – just enjoy your trip!
